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Spinal Tap Results

jimells

Senior Member
Messages
2,009
Location
northern Maine
The lumbar puncture wasn't as bad as I was expecting, although I was surprised how hard he had to push to get that needle in. Before he started, I asked the (nurse? nurse practitioner?), "Will it hurt like bloody hell? Please tell me the truth!" It wasn't pleasant, but it didn't hurt much.

Anyway, the results:
OLIGOCLONAL BANDS no bands

CELL COUNT/DIFF
WBC-CSF 0.0 0-5
RBC-CSF 27 0 HIGH

BODY FLUID DIFF
SEGS 4
LYMPH 7
MONONUCLEAR 10

Glucose (CSF) 54 40-80
T. Protein, CSF 37 15-45

Gram Stain Final no bacteria seen
CSF Culture no growth 48 hrs

RPR nonreactive

The tests were ordered by a neurologist; my impression is he is looking for signs of MS. I was hoping there would've been many more tests done, especially for viruses.

I'm guessing the high Red Blood Cell indicates a 'tramatic tap', perhaps? I don't know what SEGS and MONONUCLEAR refer to, or why there are no reference ranges.

According to Lab Tests Online, RPR is a quick test for syphylis that gives false positives for various other problems. Would this be a quick and dirty way to test for the presence of viruses?
 

L'engle

moogle
Messages
3,200
Location
Canada
Yikes. hope your recovery goes well. I don't know too much about what the results mean. I gather it makes a difference whether the test is ordered/interpreted by someone who specializes in ME/CFS?